PINTAIL. Dafila acuta (Linnaeus)

Field characters.—Somewhat smaller than Mallard, and of more slender build; neck long. Male: Central tail feathers greatly elongated; head brown; a white stripe up neck on each side; belly white. Female: Similar to female Mallard, but much slenderer; under surface of wing, as seen in flight, grayish brown.

Occurrence.—Transient. A pair on fresh-water pond near mouth of Rush Creek, Mono Lake, May 6, 1916.

The Pintail, or 'sprig' of the hunter, is another of the fresh-water ducks that may be expected, during the seasons of migration, on smooth water anywhere in the Yosemite region. Its long neck, as seen either in flight or on the water, facilitates identification. When feeding in shallow ponds these birds do not 'tip up' so often as do Mallards, for their long necks usually enable them to reach down a sufficient distance without tipping.